On an almost weekly basis, there are reports highlighting the devastating impact of child dog attacks on families across the U.S. Child dog attacks have a life-changing physical and emotional impact on the victim’s life. This latest post explains how recent changes to Pennsylvania’s dog bite laws help protect children and the steps parents can take after their child suffers a significant dog bite injury.
The Role of Pennsylvania’s Dog Bite Laws in Protecting Children
Under Pennsylvania law, dog owners are held strictly liable for any medical expenses resulting from their dog biting someone, regardless of whether the dog had previously shown aggressive behavior or the owner’s level of negligence. This is particularly important for cases involving children because they may not understand how to interact with dogs or recognize warning signs of aggression. The onus is placed on the owner to protect surrounding children from their dog.
The state follows a “mixed” dog bite statute that includes both strict liability and negligence
Components:
- Under strict liability, owners are responsible for all medical costs, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior
- For additional damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress), the victim must prove either:
- The dog had a history of aggressive behavior (the “one bite rule”)
- The owner was negligent in controlling the dog
Why Children Are Particularly Vulnerable
Children face unique risks when it comes to dog bites:
- Height: Their face and head are often at the same level as many dogs, increasing the risk of severe facial injuries
- Inability to recognize warning signs: Young children may not understand dog body language or warning signals
- Unpredictable movements: Children’s quick movements and loud voices can trigger defensive responses in dogs
- Lack of judgment: Children may approach dogs without permission or in unsafe ways
Child Dog Bite Damages
When pursuing a dog bite case involving a child, several types of damages may be recoverable:
Medical expenses
Children with serious dog bite injuries have a range of short-term and long-term medical expenditures for which their families can pursue a claim against the dog’s owner.
Immediate emergency care
After a serious injury, children may need to undergo emergency surgery for broken bones, and tissue damage.
Plastic surgery for scarring
Scarring is a leading consideration in child dog bite cases. Plastic surgery is often the best option for reducing the appearance of dog bite scars as the child grows.
Future medical procedures
In handling a dog bite claim, dog bite lawyers can work with families and their child’s physician to assess the future medical requirements of their children. Future costs may include corrective surgeries during adulthood and potential psychological treatment for decades to come.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can help children with serious muscle and bone damage after a dog bite to relearn how to use the impacted area of their body effectively.
Psychological counseling
Dog attacks are one of the most common causes of PTSD for children and psychological counseling is often an ongoing element of dog bite recovery.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering
Pain and suffering compensation may be due to your child after a dog attack if mental health professionals can link changes in their social behavior to the incident.
Emotional distress
Children often experience feelings of loneliness and despondency after a dog attack. The Pennsylvania courts allow dog bite victims to sue for this ongoing emotional impact.
Loss of enjoyment of activities
An additional element of emotional distress is loss of enjoyment. When a child stops going to the park, no longer attends school, or rarely visits friends’ houses after a dog attack, there may be a case for considering further compensation.
Recent Dog Bite Law Developments in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania courts have recently shown a trend toward holding property owners and landlords more accountable in dog bite cases. The renewed focus on protecting dog bite victims includes the following recent updates:
- Removing the requirement to prove a dog had a propensity to attack in dog bite criminal cases
- Higher fines for not vaccinating dogs against rabies
- New 2025 licensing laws requiring owners to license their dogs
- Requiring kennels to include bite and attack history when selling dogs
Steps to Take After a Child Dog Bite Incident
If your child has been bitten by a dog, immediate action is crucial for both their health and your legal family’s future legal settlement. Take the following steps in the hours, days, and weeks after a dog attacks your child:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical care, even for seemingly minor bites. Dog bites can lead to serious infections, and proper medical documentation is crucial for your legal case.
Document Everything
- Take photographs of the injuries and document injury progress over time
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Record the location and circumstances of the incident
- Keep all medical records and receipts
- Document any communication with the dog owner or property manager
Report the Incident
You should file a dog bite report with local animal control or police. This creates an official record and helps establish if there’s a pattern of aggressive behavior.
Call a Dog Bite Lawyer with Experience in Child Cases
Because child cases are unique within Pennsylvania law, try to find a dog bite lawyer with proven experience in child cases. Experienced attorneys can help:
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Ensure proper documentation of all damages
- Calculate future medical expenses
- Negotiate settlements that consider long-term impacts
- Represent the child’s interests in court if necessary
With over 30 years of experience winning dog bite attack cases involving children, dog bite lawyer Jeffrey Penneys is Pennsylvania’s top victims’ advocate.
Examples of Jeffrey Penneys’ Victories in Child Cases
$295,000
A teenage girl went to her boyfriend’s house. While there, a dog, usually kept in the basement due to aggression issues, was allowed upstairs. Immediately after seeing the girl, the dog lunged at her, biting her upper lip. Blood was everywhere, and her parents took her to the emergency room, where a plastic surgeon performed a procedure. The lip healed well, but she continued to have nerve issues in the affected area.
$100,000
A five-year-old girl was visiting her next-door neighbor, who owned a dog. The child had visited many times prior, but there was no issue with this dog until this particular day when the dog decided to attack her, causing her to lose the tip of her finger. The case settled after a lawsuit for the policy limits of $100,000.00.
$95,000
A Montgomery County child was riding his bicycle through the neighborhood when a neighbor’s dog broke through the fence on the property and grabbed a hold of the child’s leg, causing him to fall from his bicycle. The dog then proceeded to bite the child on multiple parts of the body, causing significant blood loss. The parents rushed the child to the emergency room, where he was treated and released. The insurance company quickly settled without the need for a lawsuit.
Securing Your Child’s Future Begins with a Fair Dog Bite Settlement
Child dog bite cases require special attention and years of experience in pediatric dog bite injury settlements. The physical and emotional trauma can have lasting effects, and securing proper compensation is crucial for ensuring access to necessary medical care and support services. If your child suffers a dog bite injury, seek legal counsel immediately.
Jeffrey Penneys is a leading resource for Pennsylvania families currently navigating the complex recovery process after a dog attack. You can speak with him any time, 24/7, for a free, no-obligation consultation. You don’t pay any legal fees if you do not win a settlement from your child’s case. Call his offices now at (215) 259-3703 or book your consultation online.